Syracuse 415-413 Bc: Destruction Of The Athenian Imperial Fleet (campaign)
by Nic Fields /
2008 / English / PDF
22.7 MB Download
Osprey's study of one of the most important battles of the
Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 BC). In 415 BC Athens launched a large
expeditionary force, its goal the rich, grain-producing island of
Sicily. This was in response to a call for help in a minor war from
an old ally but the true objectives were the powerful city of
Syracuse, suspected of supporting Athens' Peloponnesian enemies,
and imperial expansion. The Athenians won an inconclusive victory
over the Syracusans late in the year and renewed their attack in
the spring of 414. After a period of energetic siege warfare and a
series of large-scale battles on land and sea, the Syracusans
gained the upper hand and the expedition ended in total disaster
with grave consequences for the future of Athens.
Osprey's study of one of the most important battles of the
Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 BC). In 415 BC Athens launched a large
expeditionary force, its goal the rich, grain-producing island of
Sicily. This was in response to a call for help in a minor war from
an old ally but the true objectives were the powerful city of
Syracuse, suspected of supporting Athens' Peloponnesian enemies,
and imperial expansion. The Athenians won an inconclusive victory
over the Syracusans late in the year and renewed their attack in
the spring of 414. After a period of energetic siege warfare and a
series of large-scale battles on land and sea, the Syracusans
gained the upper hand and the expedition ended in total disaster
with grave consequences for the future of Athens.
Nic Fields explores the background of this foolhardy venture in
which Athens took on a nation that was militarily and financially
strong and over 700 miles distant. Then, following the narrative of
Thucydides, the chronicler of the Peloponnesian War, he describes
and explains the long and violent campaign that pitted the two
largest democracies of the Greek world against each other.
Nic Fields explores the background of this foolhardy venture in
which Athens took on a nation that was militarily and financially
strong and over 700 miles distant. Then, following the narrative of
Thucydides, the chronicler of the Peloponnesian War, he describes
and explains the long and violent campaign that pitted the two
largest democracies of the Greek world against each other.